Although they both sport 5-megapixel cameras, their capture results differ vastly as the iPhone 4 reigns supreme in this category. In fact, it manages to outshine the Nexus S in just about every situation you find yourself in. Moreover, touch focus on the iPhone 4 makes it relatively easy to choose the focus level you want – but it can get annoying in trying to combat its exposure. But with the Nexus S, you'll simply have to rely on the virtual shutter key to snap shots. Overall, the iPhone 4 takes sharper looking images which are supplemented with their spot on accurate looking colors. Additionally, low lighting shots are also better with the iPhone 4 seeing that you get slightly more grainy looking shots and lackluster color reproduction with the Nexus S. Finally, the LED flash of the iPhone 4 is far better at illuminating shots with its moderately better looking results.

Apple iPhone 4

Google Nexus S

Apple iPhone 4

Google Nexus S

Apple iPhone 4

Google Nexus S

Apple iPhone 4

Google Nexus S

Apple iPhone 4

Strong

Medium

Low light

Google Nexus S

Apple iPhone 4

3ft

5ft

7ft

Google Nexus SDarkness with flash

When you're presented with a device that packs 720p video capture versus something that shoots in DVD-like quality, there's no arguing that the iPhone 4 is going to provide better looking visuals with its high definition capture. Granted that both shoot at the rate of 29 frames per second in good lighting, the Nexus S drops to a sluggish 16 fps in low lighting conditions – which is a far cry from the 23 fps rate of the iPhone 4. Furthermore, touch focus during recording on the iPhone 4 aids in keeping your videos looking sharp at all times – which is lacking with the Nexus S.

Apple iPhone 4 Sample Video:

Google Nexus S Sample Video:

Surprisingly, there isn't much innovation to be found in either music player interface since they're basically recycled from previous editions of their platforms. With that in mind, cover flow with the iPhone 4 still stands to be the more visually alluring interface versus the standard and unchanged look of the stock Android music player.

The music player of the Apple iPhone 4

The music player of the Google Nexus S

Whichever device you side with, you can sleep well knowing that they're equipped in handling the task of playing high-definition videos. However, some will probably gravitate towards the Google Nexus S simply for the fact that it offers a larger screen with its Super AMOLED display – and you can't forget the saturated looking colors! Nevertheless, the iPhone 4 presents itself as worthy vessel in offering the same fluid playback experience. So whatever the case, you can expect nothing short of a fantastic experience in watching videos.

Video playback on the Apple iPhone 4

Watching videos on the Google Nexus S

At $200 with a contract, you'll find both smartphones packed with the same 16GB of internal storage. Unfortunately, you can't supplement that amount with microSD cards, but Apple does offer a 32GB version of the iPhone 4 for $300 on-contract.

Software:

Out of the box, there aren't that many preloaded apps found on the Apple iPhone 4, but rather, you'll only find the bare essentials. Being the Google branded device it is, the Nexus S boasts the usual set of Google apps – these include Google Maps, Google Earth, Google Voice, and Google Talk. However, taking a stroll through their associated applications stores will ultimately provide you a treasure trove of offerings to suffice your needs. Even to this day, we still find iPhone apps to be somewhat more polished than their Android counterparts. In addition, Apple's device easily steals the show when it comes to pure quantities.

Are you lost? Or do you happen to need directions to get you to your destination? Well then, you shouldn't look any further than checking out the Google Maps app on the Nexus S because it offers a substantial amount of depth over its iOS counterpart. Not only are you treated to things like free voice guided turn-by-turn directions, but Google Maps for Android supplements its backing with support for Latitude, Buzz, and 3D maps – all of which aren't offered by the iPhone. Needless to say that FREE navigation with the Nexus S will easily gain the attention of consumers all around.

Google Earth

The new Google Maps with 3D rendered views of buildings on the Google Nexus S

ok, you always compare everything to the god damn iPhone. hopefully to show how superior everything else is to it. iPhone is a phone that is now behind its time. if this is not the case, then why? why do you feel that the iPhone is so superior? (because of its popularity, made possible ONLY because of advertising?)

6.lacp (unregistered)

As an Android user and fanboy I really don't like the Nexus S for two reasons most other android phones are going to be better than it when they get 2.3 and it has a lot of design flaws that an Nexus Android shouldn't have.

8.blurryviews (unregistered)

13.ikkuh (unregistered)

Yes, you cant do much (wrong) on a iphone. It only has shortcuts to apps.I would give it to my 5 year old kid or my grandma. For me nahhhh, it's to simple, i stick with a decent OS: android. And geezzz why is a device this simple so f*cking expensive.

9.Hello (unregistered)

This is a solid review. I would love to jump ship from my iPhone to an android phone and was hoping the Nexus S would be the one, but to be honest aside from gingerbread it really isn't that much of an upgrade from the Nexus 1. The iPhone might have some flaws, but for ease of use as well as application support and overall functionality, the iPhone is still the smoothest running and best smartphone in todays market.

14.ikkuh (unregistered)

The iphone is so smooth because it isn't really multitasking. And to be honest it hasn't some flaws but a lot:
- poor call range
- no microsd
- no flash
- 3.5" screen is nowadays to small
- No real multitasking
- too expensive
- iOS4 closed as a bank-safe

My 5 year old kid doesnt matter, i do.
I simply wouldn't know why i want a iPhone.

28.Travis (unregistered)

Try that a closed ios4 means less likelyhood of viruses (oh yeah I really want every programer hacking my phone) Besides Apple still has almost twice the apps and the review said they seem more polished in comparison you want complicated write your own code intuitive programs take less time to learn and allow more time to do. Google should be commended for a great cdma alternative and having competition ensures consumers choices will continue to grow. For now Apple still sets the bar that Google shoots for maybe that will change maybe not. As for price you wanna drive a jalopy buy a Kia you wanna car that sets you apart you get what you pay for period. Apples attention to detail and development of both hardware and software for their products has always left them as the true innovaters, while I wouldn't say Google isn't innovative (I might say that about microsloth) imitation is still the most sincere form of flattery
Apple deserves the kudos and cute pastry named os's ain't gonna take the cake.

11.vyn (unregistered)

I just bought the Google Nexus S today and will be posting my comments while I get in depth of the phone applications. However, iPhone 4 surely is a great a smart phone but its carrier do not help the phone to lunch its capacity if you do not pay the $$$ for what you can really find usefull (be a hotspot with unlimited web data access can be really attractive...don't forget the Google GPS applications when you travel)

Time to upgrade my phone and I don't know of any other site where I can get better expert opinions on what's the best outthere. I currently have an iPhone 3gs and I am quite content with it, had a change to play with the iPhone 4 and I do find it to be impressive however I want to consider all my options.

I am looking for an expert opinion as to why wholud I consider Anfroid over the iPhone 4, Can do away with the tipical "because it sucks", "at&t's network is a piece of crap" etc comments. You guys have the knowlege and will apreciate your expert feed back.

16.jokout (unregistered)

Coming from WinMo and now looking to move to another OS. I have spent quite a bit of time with both Android and OS4 and I really have come to the conclusion that the Iphone is really what I would consider a feature phone with apps! Frankly, I can't understand all the commotion surrounding this device! When you really dive into the phone it offers nothing new and innovative that inspires me to want one! As far as I can see, this is a style over substance thing, we evidently have to have one to be in the cool crowd!
Now with this being said, Android isn't nirvana either! To me the Nexus S is a huge disappointment and could have been SO much more...it's like, lets take a stock Galaxy S and take out some good stuff and throw Gingerbread on it and WOW, we got a super phone...NOT! There are just better android devices out there to put Gingerbread on! Google and their carrier/manufacturer politics!
I'm just waiting for someone to come up with a great device that I will still want to own in a year!

17.jokout (unregistered)

also, if you have already made up you mind which phone you like before you even start comparing them, why don't you just say that in the first line of the review and save us all a lot of time! I am looking for true unbiased info so I can make an informed desision as to what phone I will live with in the forseeable future, I don't need, I like this phone so what it doesn't do/have isn't important!

21.Toto (unregistered)

22.seriusly (unregistered)

Ok, phonearena deleted my previous comment because they felt the truth stick right in their ears. But here is the truth, are you gonna start making comparisions about WP7 and Android more often? Not only iPhone and then reward iPhone in every review.

Seems like you are doing this for Apple as they told you too, so people will go out and get an iPhone instead of another OS phone.

23.Adrian (unregistered)

iphones are for non-technical rich people who like to waste their money and show off their worthless bling. android mobiles are for smart people who know what they want, for people who want the best security (linux kernel), for people who want to constantly be able to improve their mobile's functionality whether they do it themselves or acquire help from the rest of the world (open source). and for people who know and want to learn how a mobile works and to explore the limitless bounds of technology themselves. . . . much like the comparison between the windows and linux OSes. . . . .linux always wins hands down because the whole world works on linux, while only microsoft are allowed to improve the Windows OS. . . .it's a meaningless debate when we all know Open Source always wins

25.Lucas303030 (unregistered)

Umm osx? Best os out there? And why is it that when an iPhone wins something its this and that... Why is it that it can't just be better? And jailbreak anyone? I mean what more do you want. Android is obviously better for the tech people... But for mainstream its iPhone hands down. You can't match its refinement and ease of use. But android is outdated so quickly it is ridiculous. You feel like the moment you buy it it is out of date. Like the G2. Boom mytouch 4g. Droid 2. Boom droid 2 global. Incredible. Boom thunderbolt. I mean there is no point in buying an android phone for the mainstream because they wont know what to do with their outdated one when it becomes unsupported by the new one coming out next week. And as for the nexus s... it doesn't even have 3g+ on a carrier where that is all it has going for it... I don't think people realize that yes att is not so great, but nothing else is really better except verizon-and there will be an iPhone for that soon enough hopefully.

29.IOS5 (unregistered)

iPhone 4 way way better than this shity phone nexus s the nexus s already got smoked not only by iPhone even by Andriod phones Galaxy s still smoke him LG 2x already smoked the galaxy s and nexus s and iPhone 4. So what the use of the nexus s don't know.

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